In both tournaments, the 12 teams are divided into 3 groups (A, B and C) of 4 teams each. This stage of the competition is played in a round robin format, with each team playing all other teams in its group (a total of 3 games for each team).
The teams placed first and second in each group and the 2 best third-placed teams in the Group Phase qualify for the Final Phase. The remaining 4 teams take no further part in the competition.
Final Phase
A draw will take place following the conclusion of the Group Phase to determine the pairings of the Quarter-Finals. The winners of the groups (3 teams) and the second-placed team with the best result (1 team) from the Group Phase are placed in one pot (D), while the 2 remaining second-placed teams and 2 best third-placed teams in another pot (E). Teams from the same group in the Group Phase cannot be drawn against each other in the Quarter-Finals.
This stage of the competition is played in a knockout format and the draw will produce an Olympic bracket for the road to the gold medal.
To be crowned Olympic champion, a team has to play 6 games - 3 in the Group Phase and 3 in the Final Phase (Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, Gold Medal Game), instead of 8 as in past tournaments.